Come to appreciate the vastness, beauty and cultural and ecological diversity of “The Last Frontier” on a journey by land and sea that takes you to mammoth glaciers, gold rush towns, Denali National Park’s mighty Mount McKinley and welcoming communities along the famed Inside Passage.

Activity Particulars

Walking on city sidewalks, boardwalks and unpaved trail surfaces.

In some ports you will have the option of enjoying lunch on your own at your expense rather than returning to the ship for lunch.

Itinerary At-a-Glance

Coordinated by Road Scholar.

Days 1-2:

Arrival Fairbanks (Alaska):

Begin your journey in the largest city of the Alaskan interior. Visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center for a Alaskan Cultural experience--taste native food and watch local youth dancers perform.Lodging: Centrally located hotel.

Days 3-4:

Coach to Denali National Park:

Coach to Denali National Park. On expert-led forays into the wilderness, keep an eye out for caribou, bears, moose, eagles and more.Lodging: Resort within National Park.

Day 5:

Train to Anchorage:

Relax and view the scenic beauty as you traverse passes and cross the startling 918-foot Hurricane Gulch trestle and glimpse Mt. McKinley.

Lodging: Centrally located hotel.

Days 6-7:

Coach to Seward / embark MS Zaandam:

At the Anchorage Museum, learn about prehistoric, historic and current Alaska. Coach along Turnagain Arm--one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America. Lodging: Comfortable hotel.

Days 8-9:

At Sea / Glacier Bay:

Transit the Gulf of Alaska. In Glacier Bay, a national park naturalist and a Tlingit cultural ambassador shed light on the glaciers and wildlife.

Day 10:

Haines / Skagway:

Ferry from Haines to Skagway to board the White Pass and Yukon Route, a railroad built to take adventurous prospectors across the mountains during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Day 11:

Juneau:

Visit the lovely Mendenhall Glacier with opportunities to see floating icebergs and waterfalls. Enjoy a whale watching expedition in the waters of Stephen's Passage to view whales, and possibly seals and porpoises.

Day 12:

Ketchikan:

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to the Totem Heritage Center’s Alaska Native collection and visit with a past mayor of both Ketchikan and Saxman, the native village.

Days 13-14:

At Sea / Vancouver (Canada) / disembark / departure:

Expert lectures and a celebratory farewell dinner wrap up the voyage as you sail into Canadian waters.

ms Zaandam

Artifacts and memorabilia from a variety of musical genres decorate the ms Zaandam. In a soaring, three-story atrium at the ship's heart is a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ, inspired by the traditional barrel organs still found on the streets of the Netherlands. This ocean liner offers spacious public areas and plush accommodations.

Road Scholar Instructors

These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.

Brenda Campen

A long-time resident of Alaska, Brenda Campen is passionate about the history of America’s “Last Frontier.” Her 33-year career in teaching social studies led her to Native communities in the interior and in the southeast region of the state. For 25 years, she taught at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, a state residential school for rural and Alaska Native students. Brenda’s expertise in Alaska history and contemporary issues has earned her multiple awards, including the first Governor’s Award in the Humanities for Alaska History Teaching, and the Alaska Historical Society’s Contributions to Alaska History Award. Brenda divides her time between Sitka and a cabin near the Admiralty Island village of Angoon.

Mary Stensvold

Mary Stensvold is the regional botanist for the USDA Forest Service Alaska Region and is based in Sitka, Alaska. In this capacity, she administers a program emphasizing rare plant conservation, as well as botanical surveys and monitoring, revegetation, ethnobotany, botanical publications, and botanical interpretation. She holds a Ph.D. in botany from Iowa State University, and her current research involves a circumpolar study of moonworts ferns. Other areas of particular interest include wild-plant gardening, drawing, painting, woodcarving and northwest coast Native art. Fieldwork takes her to remote areas throughout southern Alaska, from Prince William Sound in the west, to the southern tip of the "Panhandle" in the east. She has been presenting natural history lectures on ships in Alaska, British Columbia and Norway since 1991.

Donald Poling

As an educator, naturalist, author and historian, Donald Poling enjoys sharing the history and natural beauty of Alaska with students of all ages. His family’s own history in Alaska is rich — in 1900, Don’s great grandfather arrived in Alaska for the Nome Gold Rush, and ended up with a career as a bookkeeper at the local bank. His parents were teachers for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a career path that allowed Donald to grow up in a variety of Alaska Native communities including Chenega, Metlakatla, Quinhagak, Juneau, Nenana, Fairbanks, and Nome. After studying sociology, anthropology and education at Alaska Methodist University, Don worked as a teacher and naturalist for the U.S. Forest Service on Alaska Marine Highway vessels, providing presentations on regional ecology and history. In 2011, Don published the book, “Chenega Diaries,” a compilation of letters, diaries and photographs on Chenega history, and is currently working on a history of the Yupik Eskimo village of Quinhagak.

Joe Williams

Born and raised in Saxman, Alaska, Joe Williams has been an elected tribal president, vice-chairman for the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council and the area vice president for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). He was the first Tlingit native to be elected as mayor of Ketchikan Borough, and served as the City of Saxman mayor, making him the only elected official to hold both the borough and city mayoral positions. Joe owns and operates Where the Eagle Walks, a historical walking excursion and lecture company in Ketchikan, and provides lectures on the Tlingit culture. He enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge about the Ketchikan and Saxman cultures.

Dixie Alexander

Dixie Alexander is the cultural program director for the Tanana Chiefs Conference at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Born into a family of Gwich’in heritage, (her father, Silas Alexander, Sr., hailed from Fort Yukon while her mother, Charlotte Douthit, was from North Pole), Dixie was raised with her 12 brothers and sisters in Fort Yukon. Over the past 30 years, she has shared the rich traditions of Athabascan history and lifestyle with local businesses and organizations. Dixie loves to teach, and leads a multitude of workshops on native crafts including beadwork, caribou hair tufting, porcupine quill work, basket making, mask and doll making, and more. Dixie also offers classes on moose and caribou tanning, boot and snowshoe making, and teaches traditional techniques for building canvas canoes, drums, fish wheels, toboggans and frames for drying furs.

Call for rate Contact the hotel directly to make arrangements for additional nights. The toll free number is 800-544-0970. Mention you are part of the Holland America booking. The hotel will not be able to guarantee you'll have the same room for the length of your stay. Better rates may be available online.

Check in time:

3:00 PM

McKinley Chalet Resort

Type:

Lodge

Description:

The McKinley Chalet Resort is one of the Denali National Park lodges. Spanning over 42 acres, the resort offers endless walking trails next to the Nenana River. Courtesy shuttles will conveniently transport you throughout the resort, to the Park Mart, the Wilderness Access Center and the Denali Visitors Center.

All rooms feature a flat screen television, wireless Internet access, a DVD player, a hair dryer, a coffee maker, and a telephone.

Smoking allowed:

Yes

M/S Zaandam

Type:

Cruise Ship

Ship
Information:

The M/S Zaandam is a 781' cruise ship with a passenger capacity of 1432. There are 10 decks accessible to passengers, 3 restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, a health spa, movie theater and an Internet center.

Travel Details

Start
of Program:
Fairbanks, AK. Hotel registration begins at 3:00 PM. Program meet and greet begins at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. You will be staying at Westmark Fairbanks that night.

End
of Program:
Vancouver, BC. Disembarkation typically occurs between 8:30 and 10:30 AM. You will be staying at M/S Zaandam the night before.

Required
documents:
The Participant Information Form is required. OTHER REQUIRED FORMS:
1. Participants must use the Holland America ONLINE CHECK-IN procedure to obtain Cruise Ticket, Boarding Pass and other related information.
2. There is an additional form for dietary or physical needs. To request this form, please contact the program provider (carolyn.flannery@roadscholar.org or 503-786-8080).
3. Bring your America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Senior Pass (or Golden Age Passport as it was formerly known) if you have one. The pass may come in handy during your free time in Denali.
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone with a criminal record (including a Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants/Alcohol conviction) may be excluded from entering Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be issued but several weeks are required and a processing fee must be paid. Contact the Canadian Embassy or a Canadian Consulate in the U.S. for more information (http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/entering-canada.html).

Parking
availability:
Must be arranged and paid for by the participant. Parking near the departure airport (Vancouver or Seattle) may be the best option. Long term parking is also available near the Canada Pier (currently $23 a day).

Travel Details

Fairbanks

From Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Included for participants who arranged air through Road ScholarPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15 minutes

Distance:

6 miles

Participants who booked their air through Road Scholar Travel Services will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers. Please refer to your Road Scholar Travel Services packet sent 3 weeks prior to program departure for your finalized transfer information.
For those who are arriving to the program early, departing late or are transferring on your own, please refer to the alternate modes of transportation below.

Fairbanks

From Airport

Service:

Commercial Van/ShuttleHolland AmericaAdvanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

$15 one way, per personPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15 minutes

Distance:

6 miles

Holland America operates shuttle service only on the day the program begins (see other options if you are arriving in Fairbanks in advance).
Transfers with Holland America must be booked and paid for at least two weeks in advance. Please book through Boston Road Scholar staff (email afloatops@roadscholar.org or phone 617-457-5403).

Fairbanks

From Airport

Service:

TaxiKing Cab / Alaska Cabphone: 907-452-2222

Per Person/One Way:

$25 from Fairbanks airport to Westmark HotelPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15 minutes

Distance:

6 miles

Website: www.kingalaskacab.com/kingalaskacab.com/Home.html

Fairbanks

From Airport

Service:

Commercial Van/ShuttleAirlink Servicesphone: 907-452-3337

Per Person/One Way:

$10.50 plus $1 per bagPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

15 minutes

Distance:

6 miles

Price is $10.50 for one or two people (plus baggage fees). Call when you arrive at the airport.
Airlink Services also offers a "meet and greet" option for $40. Advance reservations are required for this option.

Anchorage

From Train Station

Service:

TrainAlaska Railroadphone: 800-544-0552Advanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

$233 for train (peak rate); plus taxi from Fairbanks station to Westmark HotelPrices are subject to change.

If you prefer to fly into Anchorage, you can take the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks. It is approximately 12 hours from Anchorage to Fairbanks by train.
For times and rates, visit www.akrr.com or call 800-544-0552. Take a taxi from the Fairbanks Station to the hotel. We will be taking the train from Denali to Anchorage.

Vancouver, BC

To Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Included for participants who arranged air through Road ScholarPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

1 hour

Participants who booked their air through Road Scholar Travel Services will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers. Please refer to your Road Scholar Travel Services packet sent 3 weeks prior to program departure for your finalized transfer information.
For those who are arriving to the program early, departing late or are transferring on your own, please refer to the alternate modes of transportation below.

Vancouver Pier

To Airport

Service:

Commercial Van/ShuttleHolland AmericaAdvanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

$28 one way, per person to VANCOUVER airportPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

1 hour

From Canada Place Pier in Vancouver to the Vancouver airport. Holland America operates shuttle service only on the day the ship arrives in Vancouver (see other options if you plan on staying in Vancouver after the program). Arrangements can be made through the Excursion Office onboard or in advance through Boston Road Scholar staff (email afloatops@roadscholar.org or phone 617-457-5403).
We recommend scheduling your flight DEPARTING VANCOUVER AFTER 1:00 PM to allow time for claiming luggage on pier, transit, check in, customs and clearing airport security.

Vancouver Pier

To Airport

Service:

Commercial Van/ShuttleVancouver Shuttle & Charterphone: 888-941-2121

Per Person/One Way:

$15 CAD to VANCOUVER airportPrices are subject to change.

For those staying over, this is a good option as Holland America's transfer is only offered on the day the ship arrives in Vancouver.
Transportation from Canada Place Pier to the Vancouver airport can be arranged in advance online or by phone or after arrival at Canada Place Pier (at the Sightline Info booth located inside the Cruise Terminal). Reservation staff is available to assist you by phone from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM every day, Pacific Time. Call 1-888-941-2121 or in Vancouver 604-841-2121. Available online at: www.vancouvershuttle.ca/cruise-ship-transfers
A taxi would cost approximately $30.

Vancouver Pier to Sea Tac

To Airport

Service:

Commercial Van/ShuttleHolland AmericaAdvanced Reservations Required

Per Person/One Way:

$65 Vancouver to SEATAC AirportPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

5 hours between Canada Place and SeaTac Airport

From Canada Place Pier in Vancouver to SeaTac airport. Holland America operates shuttle service only on the day the ship arrives in Vancouver (see other options if you plan on staying in Vancouver after the program). Arrangements can be made through the Excursion Office on board the ship or in advance through Boston Road Scholar staff (email afloatops@roadscholar.org or phone 617-457-5403).
We recommend scheduling your flight DEPARTING SEATTLE AFTER 5:00 PM to allow time for claiming luggage on pier, clearing customs, transit to Seattle, passing Canada/US border crossing, airport check in and clearing airport security.

Per Person/One Way:

Travel Time:

4.5 to 6 hours between Canada Place and SEATAC Airport (depending on shuttle schedule)

If you prefer to fly out of Seattle, be sure to BOOK your FLIGHT DEPARTING SEATTLE AFTER 5:00 PM to allow for luggage claiming on pier, clearing customs, transit to Seattle, passing Canada/US border crossing, airport check-in, and clearing airport security. For those staying over, this is a good option as Holland America's transfer is only offered on the day the ship arrives in Vancouver.
2015 information: Daily shuttle departures at 9:00 AM and 10:45 AM; Additional shuttle departing at 10:00 AM on Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
The 9:00 AM shuttle leaves from Cruise Ship Level. The 10:00 AM and 10:45 AM departures are from street
level. See the Quick Shuttle Representative inside the terminal.
Web site: www.quickcoach.com

Driving
Directions

Outside Alaska

The only highway into Alaska is the Alaska Highway. There is the option to ride the Alaska Marine Highway (State ferry) from Bellingham to Haines or Skagway.

Outside Vancouver BC

People who wish to drive to Vancouver to leave their vehicle for pickup after the cruise can reach Vancouver by Canada Highway 1 from the east or US Interstate Highway 5 from the south.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Arrival and Check-in / Registration / Welcome Dinner(Monday, July 13)

Afternoon:

Program Registration: After checking into the hotel and obtaining your room assignment, please look for the Road Scholar Meet and Greet table located near the Holland America counter. Program staff will provide you with an arrival packet containing your name tag, the up-to-date schedule, other important information we will review during Orientation. If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the front desk.

Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner:

In hotel meeting space with entrée, house salad, rolls and butter, and chef's choice of dessert. This will be a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers as you begin your journey in wondrous Alaska.

Evening:

At leisure. Take the rest of the evening to settle in, relax, and get a good night's sleep for the full day ahead tomorrow.

Note: Group will walk 1/2 mile from the hotel to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. A bus will be taken to the U of Alaska and back to the hotel.

Breakfast:

At hotel restaurant via vouchers.

Morning:

Orientation: We will gather in our private meeting space where the Road Scholar group leaders will provide an overview of the program and introduce everyone. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures and answer any questions you may have. The group will then walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center for a guided exploration of the center provided by the center's director. Morris Thompson, a Koyukon Athabascan, was born, raised, and is now laid to rest in Tanana, his Native home in Interior Alaska. As a native political leader and business man, he dedicated his life to Alaska issues and its peoples. The center is dedicated to his memory.

Lunch:

Enjoy an Athabascan meal with local fresh ingredients prepared for our group at the Cultural Center.

Afternoon:

Following lunch enjoy a one-hour Cultural Connections Show featuring traditional music and dancing by Alaska Native youth dancers.

After the performance the group will board a bus for a self guided visit to the Museum of the North on the University of Alaska's Fairbanks campus. The museum exhibits are a great introduction to Alaska’s diverse wildlife, people and land. Exhibits highlight the objects and artifacts, people, wildlife, geography and history of each of Alaska's five major geographic regions. Pieces and objects representing 2000 years of Alaskan art and historical paintings from the 19th and 20th century round out the exhibits. We will meet to board the bus for the return to the hotel.

Dinner:

In hotel meeting space with entrée, house salad, rolls and butter, and chef's choice of dessert.

Evening:

At your leisure to rest and relax for tomrrow's early departure. Please remember that you may want two sets of bags for tomorrow morning. One set that will be transferred directly to the ship and another with your items for Denali, Anchorage and Seward. Your leaders will explain how to identify your bags for proper transfer.

Bags out by 6:00 am. Depart via coach at 8:30 am to Denali National Park via the George Parks Highway. As you depart Fairbanks you will view rolling hill country covered with spruce and birch before climbing across the Alaska Range. Enjoy the incredible scenery with views of mountains and meandering rivers. Keep a look out for moose and other wildlife as they are sometimes spotted along the road. As you head closer to Denali, the highway crosses a deep canyon, carved by the Nenana River.

After checking in at the lodge, take the opportunity to hike near the entrance to Denali National Park. A shuttle is available from the lodge to the park's Visitor's Center. It is the main National Park Service welcome and information center.

The center offers visitors a chance to learn more about the park by speaking with park rangers, viewing the 20 minute park film, "Heartbeats of Denali," and exploring the exhibit area.

Following dinner, head to the Denali Education Center for a Welcome to the Sub Arctic presentation. A non-profit educational partner of Denali National Park and Preserve since 1989, the Denali Education Center provides Road Scholar programs during the summer months. Their presentation will provide an excellent background for your trip into the park tomorrow.

Tundra Tour into the heart of Denali National Park / Wildlife Viewing Along Tundra Tour(Thursday, July 16)

Note: Group will depart the lodge between 5:30 and 6:30 am.

Breakfast:

5:00 am early morning breakfast at the McKinley Chalet via vouchers.

Morning:

Group will depart very early this morning for a Denali Tundra tour via coach returning at approximately 1:30 pm. A boxed snack will be provided on the bus along with a boxed lunch. Traveling 53 miles into the park to the Toklat River rest area, the Tundra Wilderness Tour provides the opportunity to see the incredible scenery within the park. It includes a narrated history of the park road and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. One never knows when wildlife will show, but there will be opportunities to look for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves and grizzly bears. On days when Denali (Mt. McKinley) is visible, it may be possible to travel to Stony Hill Overlook (another eight miles down the road) and view the entire mountain from base to summit. Stops are made at least once every 90 minutes for rest stops.

Lunch:

Boxed lunch including sandwich, fruit and beverage provided on the bus trip.

Afternoon:

After returning from the Tundra Tour, enjoy some free time to explore the park. Be sure to take advantage of the park shuttle which stops at the chalet. There are several short hikes that begin in the area of the visitor's center.

Also near the visitor's center are the kennels for the sled dogs of Denali which have have been important to the park for so long that they have become a part of the resource, and a cultural tradition worthy of protection. The dogs and the kennels where they live represent important pieces of American history and symbols of cultural and native significance, the pioneer experience in the far north and the history of Alaska's first national park.

Place bags outside room by 7:00 am. Depart via coach to train depot for trip to Anchorage at approximately 9:00 am. Train will depart the depot by 10:00 am. Narration will be provided on the train.

Lunch:

Lunch provided on the McKinley Explorer.

Afternoon:

Relax and view the scenic beauty as you pass through Broad Pass, the highest point on the Alaska Railroad at 2,363 feet. North of Talkeetna you will cross the startling 918-foot Hurricane Gulch trestle, towering 296 feet above the creek below. 70 miles south of Talkeetna,marks one of the most spectacular views of Mt. McKinley. If the weather is good the train will slow to allow passengers to snap a few photos. Keep an eye out for bears, moose, eagles, beavers, wolves and swans.

Anchorage Museum, Turnagain Arm--arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America / Alyeska Tram Ride(Saturday, July 18)

Note: The group will walk to the Anchorage museum and back to the hotel which is about a half mile walk each way.

Breakfast:

Buffet breakfast at hotel.

Morning:

Walk as a group to the Anchorage Museum for a self-guided visit. Enjoy the large variety of exhibits that explain pre-historic, historic and present Anchorage and Alaska. The Alaska Gallery displays more than 1,000 objects and is one of the finest presentations of Alaskan history and ethnology in the state. Full-scale and miniature dioramas provide a look at the early lifestyles of Alaska’s Native peoples. Exhibits also cover the exploration and settlement by the Russians, the gold rush era, World War II and statehood.

Enjoy some free time in Anchorage until late morning. Your group leaders will provide you with a time and place to meet prior to boarding a motor coach for a trip along Turnagain Arm. South of Anchorage, the Seward Highway hugs the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm, and is one of the world's great drives, ranking right up there with Italy's Amalfi Drive. This route is one of 15 roads in the US that have been designated as an "All-American Road."
Here explorer Captain Cook searched for the Northwest Passage. Local lore has it that the arm is so named because Cook entered it repeatedly, only to be forced to turn back by the huge tide of water that pushes up the inlet.

Lunch:

Lunch during motor coach trip.

Afternoon:

As you continue towards Seward, watch for beluga whales which are frequent visitors to the arm as they patrol the muddy waters in search of salmon and hooligan, a variety of smelt. High tide is the best time to see these rare creatures. Continue your travel down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward.

At Alyeska Resort travel up the mountain on the Alyeska tram. From the Tram, you can see miles in all directions. Views include Turnagain Arm, seven “hanging” glaciers and endless peaks deep into the Chugach Mountain range. Below the tram moose and bear can sometimes be sighted.

Dinner:

Dinner as a group at Windsong Lodge via meal vouchers after arrival in Seward.

Behind the Scenes at the Alaska SeaLife Center / Ship Embarkation(Sunday, July 19)

Breakfast:

Early breakfast at the Windsong Lodge via meal vouchers.

Morning:

Transfer from the Windsong Lodge to downtown Seward. Spend time in the SeaLife Center where you will see marine life and birds in a behind the scenes visit to learn about the role of the SeaLife Center in education, research and the rehabilitation of marine animals. It is Alaska's only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. View puffins, octopus, sea lions and other sea life while learning about their mission to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems.

After our visit the group will board a shuttle and transit to the ship.

Lunch:

Lunch will be served on board the ship or if you prefer, you may dine in Seward. Seward has a shuttle service from downtown to the ship dock. Boarding begins at 1:00 pm.

Afternoon:

Be on board the ship by 5:00 pm. Snacks available on LIDO Deck. If you have any questions, please look for the Road Scholar hospitality desk on board the ship.
Brief introduction provided by Road Scholar Staff prior to dinner.

Dinner:

Life boat and life preserver drill prior to departure from Seward followed by group seating for dinner.

Cultural and Naturalist Interpretation in Glacier Bay / Tidewater Glaciers, and maybe some calving!(Tuesday, July 21)

Breakfast:

Breakfast on board ship at your own leisure.

Morning:

After the Glacier Bay National Park Ranger-Naturalists board the ship near Gustavus at the mouth of the Bay, they will be on hand to explain the history of the area and point out the glaciers and other features of the area.

Lunch:

Eat lunch where you can enjoy the scenery.

Afternoon:

Spend time out on deck to watch for wildlife and enjoy the scenery. If a glacier is fed by enough snow to flow out of the mountains and down to the sea, we call it a "tidewater" glacier which is the type of glacier seen from the ship in Glacier Bay. Watch closely when the ship stops near a tidewater glacier and you may very well see a calving glacier which is a sight to be seen. Listen for the sound as the great blocks of ice up to 200 feet high break loose and crash into the water. In the early afternoon we will have a lecture on board the ship. Following late afternoon a Huna Tlingit cultural ambassador will discuss personal experiences, clan and family traditions and the historic use of the Glacier Bay area. Learn about traditional subsistence practices and the traditions that have sustained the Huna Tlingit people dating back thousands of years.

Dinner:

As a group.

Evening:

Evening meeting with an orientation to Skagway and a presentation on history of the area.

Note: We will meet with a local guide and walk into Haines approximately 1/2 mile. Late morning we will take a ferry to Skagway. Ramps can be steep getting on and off the ferry.

Breakfast:

At your leisure--but be prepared to meet in our meeting space by 8:30 am for a special guest presentation. Our speaker will discuss growing up in Alaska.

Morning:

After our presentation, disembark and explore the town of Haines. Board a ferry for Skagway and ride the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

Lunch:

En route.

Afternoon:

Ride the White Pass & Yukon Railway across the White Pass a short distance into Canada. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Its steep grade (about 3,000 feet in 20 miles) includes tunnels, bridges and trestles. On the return trip to Skagway you will have a chance to take in the panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage parlor cars one more time. Once back in Skagway take time to explore the town. This time may be limited depending upon the departure time for the ferry back to Haines.

Dinner:

Dinner on board at your own leisure or, eat on your own in Haines. Haines provides a town shuttle which runs frequently between the ship dock and town.

Evening:

Join Road Scholar staff for an orientation to Juneau and its history. There will be time for a late evening walk on shore before the ship departs for Juneau.

Disembark and board a motorcoach for an exclusive narrated drive to Mendenhall Glacier. Morning viewing of the glacier is more relaxed as most visitors arrive in the afternoon. Take a leisurely walk on the many trails and stop in the Visitor's Center to talk with a ranger. Our group will then board a private catamaran for a whale watching expedition among the many islands in Stephen's Passage. View glaciers as well as wildlife along the way.

Lunch:

Enjoy lunch on our whale watching expedition.

Afternoon:

During our whale watching expedition the onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of wildlife you may encounter, including humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, bears and deer. Arrive back at Auke Bay and embark on a motorcoach transfer to Juneau to independently visit points of interest such as the Alaska State Museum, the Juneau Museum, the State Capitol, the Russian Orthodox church building and historic Franklin Street area.

Travel south through Clarence Straits toward Ketchikan. Meet in the Road Scholar meeting space for a presentation.

Lunch:

On board at your leisure as we approach Ketchikan.

Afternoon:

Disembark for a presentation at the Totem Heritage Center where they will discuss culture and crafts of the native people. Go behind-the-scenes to examine a collection of totems up close along with native crafts. Learn about the native culture from a Tlingit tribal member and mayor of Saxman the native community and prior mayor of Ketchikan Borough. Independently spend time at the Southeast Discovery Center looking at the exhibits. Walk back to the ship or explore further by walking to the historic Creek Street area and note totems in the area of the library and Creek Street. Spend time exploring the core of the downtown area and join the group to return to the ship.

Early morning arrival in Vancouver at Canada Place Pier. Disembark. Transfer to airport or to area hotels if staying over.

This concludes our program.

We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures, and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.

Fairbanks Ice MuseumCertainly the most bemusing sight in the city's downtown - and by far the best place to chill out - is the Fairbanks Ice Museum. This hour-long experience takes place in the historic Lacey Street Theater. Call (907) 451-8222 for additional information.

Gold Dredge No. 8 National Historic District
A visit to Gold Dredge No. 8 provides a look at large-scale mechanized gold mining. In operation from 1928 to 1958, the massive Gold Dredge No. 8 chewed up the riverbed and washed out the gold. A tour of the historic dredge site includes mining equipment and structures. For additional information, visit www.golddredgeno8.com

Riverboat Discovery
The Riverboat Discovery will take you down the Chena River to the Tanana River (and back). Much more than a scenic cruise, the Riverboat Discovery provides a 3.5-hour experience where you'll learn about the contemporary and traditional ways of life in Alaska. For additional information, visit www.riverboatdiscovery.com

Denali National Park, AK

Scenic FlightsFly over the Alaska Range. The flights may be reserved on site at the Kantishna Roadhouse, weather permitting. The cost is approximately $250 per person, payable by credit card or cash. For additional information, visit www.katair.com

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List

Alaska Trees and Shrubs

Author: Leslie Viereck and Elbert Little

Alaska's History: the People, Land and Events of the North Country

Author: Harry Ritter

Description: This is a small, easily readable "digest" of Alaska's history. It is great for a quick overview and it is a good size for tucking into a suitcase or reading on a plane.

Alaska's Inside Passage

Author: Terry Breen

An Alaska Anthology: Interpreting the Past

Author: Edited by Stephen w. Haycox and Mary Childers Mangusso

Description: This anthology is a compilation of essays by noted Alaska historians, geographers and naturalists and is easy to browse and read in small segments. The essays cover Alaskan history from the days of Russian-American Company domination to the threat of nuclear testing by the Atomic Energy Commission and provide an understanding of the events, themes and those involved in the development of the state.

Best Tales of the Yukon

Author: Robert Service

Description: Robert W. Service, a bank clerk, began writing about the Yukon after he was transferred to the Whitehorse Branch of a Canadian bank six years after the Klondike Gold Rush. Inspired by the beauty of the Yukon wilderness, Robert Service wrote some of the most expressive poetry of his age. Many favorites from Service's poetry, which depicts the trials and tribulations of the Yukon gold mining life, are included in "Tales from the Yukon"-including such memorable poems as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," "The Law of the Yukon," and "The Cremation of Sam McGee."

Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska

Author: Kate Wynne

Description: This book covers all 29 marine mammal species of Alaska. Each whale, porpoise, dolphin, seal, sea lion, walrus, sea otter, and polar bear is described and illustrated. Color photos and surface profile drawings show all Alaska marine mammals and compare similar species, and color range maps show distribution.

Guide to the Birds of Alaska

Author: Robert Armstrong

Description: This comprehensive guide provides the most current knowledge about the birds in Alaska.

Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast

Author: Hilary Stewart

Nature of Southeast Alaska: A Guide to Plants, Animals, and Habitats

Author: Robert Armstrong

Roadside Geology of Alaska

Author: Cathy Connor

Description: Alaska is a mosaic patchwork, a collage of continental scraps swept in from the Pacific and added, one after the other, onto the far northwest corner of the continent. Here are the rocky foundations of Alaska, every bit as exotic as the landscape they support, just as varied and vital as the people who live in that landscape. Due to the rugged terrain and limited road access, this is not just a "roadside" book--it describes the geology of southeast Alaska as one might see it from the observation lounge of one of Alaska's comfortable ferries traveling the marine highway.

The Island Within

Author: Richard Nelson

Description: Richard Nelson a Sitka resident is recognized as one of the nation's best known nature writers. This is his account of his exploration of an unnamed Alaskan island which causes one to think about our own relationship with nature, and the importance of observing and participating in nature with reverence and a sense of wonder.

The Klondike Fever: The Life and Death of the Last Great Gold Rush

Author: Pierre Berton

Description: In 1897 a grimy steamer docked in Seattle and set into epic motion the incredible succession of events that Pierre Berton's exhilarating The Klondike Fever chronicles in all its splendid and astonishing folly. For the steamer Portland bore two tons of pure Klondike gold. And immediately, the stampede north to Alaska began.

The Sea Runners

Author: Ivan Doig

Description: In this timeless survival story, four indentured servants escape their Russian Alaska work camp in a stolen canoe, only to face a harrowing journey down the Pacific Northwest coast. Battling unrelenting high seas and fierce weather from New Archangel, Alaska, to Astoria, Oregon, the men struggle to avoid hostile Tlingit Indians, to fend off starvation and exhaustion, and to endure their own doubt and distrust. Although fictional it is based on an actual incident in 1853.

The Thousand Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians

Author: Brian Garfield

Description: The Thousand-Mile War, a powerful story of the battles of the United States and Japan on the bitter rim of the North Pacific, has been acclaimed as one of the great accounts of World War II.

Travels in Alaska

Author: John Muir

Description: Take a trip to last century's Alaska through Muir's clean, easy-going, enthusiastic prose. He wrote the way he took pictures, with insight, attention, care and genuine feeling.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

13 nights accommodations

38 meals:
13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners

Expert-led lectures: 13

Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.

Field trips: 11

Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Hands-on experiences: 1

Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Performances: 1

Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

Explore the solitude of Denali National Park and view its centerpiece, Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America reaching 20,320 feet.

Take an unforgettable journey aboard the “Scenic Railway of the World
to the White Pass summit from Skagway climbing to a 2,865 foot elevation!